3235 Madison Road · Cincinnati, Ohio 45209 · 513.321.HUGO(4846)
I had originally told T.J. I wanted to try out NADA in downtown because I've heard great things, but it was too late to get reservations (obviously other people like it as well) and T.J. had a gift card to Hugo from www.restaurants.com. We decided to give it a try because it was something different and as T.J. pointed out it was romantic.
So, the reservations we got was for 8:30. When we went in, we didn't feel like celebrities like at the Waterfront, but instead felt like we were at a restaurant we shouldn't be in because we didn't make a certain amount of money. The atmosphere was indeed romantic, there were candles at each table and it was decorated very nice on the inside. However, nobody there was under the age of at least 40. We felt young, awkward, and out of place. When our waiter came, he actually wasn't the friendliest. He talked very little and didn't seem to pleased by our presence. He just mumbled a lot and was hard to understand.
When we recieved the menu there was not a huge variety of foods listed. The menu is described as southern sophistication. For an appetizer we tried the fritters. These were the best part of our meal because they were served with a chili jam that was sweet at first then followed by the spicy kick. I have to be honest and say that I really enjoyed these. After that, T.J. and I just went for the main course, although the menu is set up with 3 courses. T.J. got the New York Strip and I got the Free Range Chicken. The steak tasted charred and my chicken was absolutely nothing special. Since the restaurant was so "fancy" there were no sides that accompained the food. It was basically a piece of meat with decoration around the plate. My chicken was served on a bed of hash which was probably one of the nastiest things I've ever tasted. The texture was watery and gross on my tongue and it did not accompany the meal well. Tj's was served with onion straws on top of the steak which he said was "the best part."
Our drinks were often empty with nobody there to refill them even though many waiters and waitresses walked by. The table next to us provided the most enjoyable part of the night as they were being loud and cracking up laughing and even spilled wine at one point. Everyone else in the restaurant was staring at their rudeness but we were happy to see some sort of livliehood in that place.
Anyways, the meal was about 60 bucks which we really don't mind spending every once in awhile if the food is great and the service is good. HUGO did nothing to make our trip worth it, it's a shame to try to go out on a nice date and be utterly disappointed by not only the food, but the wait staff as well. Even though food critics in the past have labeled it as great, I would steer clear of this place.
With your best taste in mind,
Lauren
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